Finally Pedro Martinez made his first rehab start last night, but his outing was far from dominating.

Martinez, pitching for St. Lucie (Single-A), went three innings against Lakeland, giving up five runs on six hits, including solo homers from Justin Justice and Deik Scram.

The rehabbing ace did strike out five without a walk. He threw 63 pitches in the game, and tossed 17 more in the bullpen afterward.

Mets bullpen coach Guy Conti, who spoke to Martinez after the outing, said the pitcher struggled against lefty hitters but hit 88 mph and felt OK physically. Conti also said, “He got the rust knocked off of him. That’s what that is.”

“I felt great,” Martinez told the AP. “My arm, my body is recovering good. Making adjustments will take me a little while. I haven’t pitched in so long. . . . I’m not going to be the Pedro they’re used to seeing right now.”

*

Carlos Beltran (oblique injury) took live batting yesterday. Beltran, a switch hitter, said he still is feeling pain hitting right-handed but can hit from the left side. Beltran is eligible to return from the DL today.

*

GM Omar Minaya said Endy Chavez (strained left hamstring) potentially could return by the end of the month.

*

The Mets signed two 16-year-olds yesterday – Venezuelan infielder Wilmer Flores ($700,000) and Dominican outfielder Cesar Puello ($400,000). The Mets had to wait to sign Flores until he turned 16, which he did Monday.